Tuesday 23 July 2013

US sees double EV sales in 2013

Electric vehicle sales in the US have doubled in the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period last year.

Plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) sales tripled from around 17,000 in 2011 to 52,000 in 2012 whilst more than 40,000 have already been bought in the first six months this year - more than twice as many sold during the same period in 2012.

Statistics from the US Energy Department showed the price of fuelling electric vehicles increased slightly to $1.18 (£0.77) from $1.14 (£0.74) in the latest monthly numbers, however, it remains far below the $3.49 (£2.27) cost of a gallon of fuel.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said: “More and more Americans are taking advantage of the low and stable price of electricity as a transportation fuel and that’s very good news for our economy as well as the environment. As the market continues to grow, electric vehicles will play a key role in our effort to reduce air pollution and slow the effects of climate change.”

The cost of a battery for PEVs has dropped by nearly 50% in the last four years and is expected to fall to $10,000 (£6,515) by 2015.

New research last month predicted hybrid electric car sales across the globe to double by 2020 and a report last year forecast EVs powered by fuel cells could account for a third of all cars on the road by 2050.